Automatic selection of parking spaces based on parking space attributes, driver preferences, and vehicle information

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving: by a computing device, vehicle identification information for a vehicle that is entering a parking facility; identifying a driver profile and vehicle information based on the vehicle identification information, where the driver profile identifies criteria for scoring and selecting a parking space; determining, by the computing device, attributes of one or more open parking spaces in the parking facility when the vehicle enters the parking facility; scoring, by the computing device, each of the one or more open parking spaces based on the attributes, the driver profile, and the vehicle information; selecting, by the computing device, a particular one of the one or more parking spaces based on the scoring; determining, by the computing device, navigation directions from the vehicle to the selected parking space; and outputting, by the computing device, the navigation directions to a user device or vehicle interface system associated with the driver.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to parking space selectionsystems, and more particularly, to the selection of parking spaces basedon parking space attributes, user preferences, and vehicle information.

Finding parking spaces in a parking facility, such as a parking lot orgarage, can be a time consuming, frustrating, and also waste fuel.Finding parking spaces is particularly difficult at populatedfacilities, such as shopping malls, hospitals, grocery stores,restaurants, etc. Also, vehicle congestion in parking facilities can berelatively higher during peak times, thereby increasing the difficultyand problems associated with finding a parking space. Further, findingparking spaces that meet particular requirements is even more difficult.For example, different individuals may prefer different sizes and typesof parking spaces, e.g., handicapped spaces, spaces within a closerproximity to elevators or exits, spaces that accommodate larger types ofvehicles, etc.

Existing systems may help to reduce the effort in finding parkingspaces, such as proximity sensors connected to color-coded lights thatnotify passing motorists of open spaces in a particular row or floor ofa parking facility. However, while existing systems may help a motoristidentify an open or available parking space, such systems do notidentify whether an available space meets certain criteria that definean individual's preferred type of parking space. Also, existing systemsdo not provide specific turn-by-turn directions to an open parking spacethat meets the criteria.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method includes:receiving, by a computing device, vehicle identification information fora vehicle that is entering a parking facility; identifying, by thecomputing device, a driver profile and vehicle information based on thevehicle identification information, where the driver profile identifiescriteria for scoring and selecting a parking space; determining, by thecomputing device, attributes of one or more open parking spaces in theparking facility when the vehicle enters the parking facility; scoring,by the computing device, each of the one or more open parking spacesbased on the attributes, the driver profile, and the vehicleinformation; selecting, by the computing device, a particular one of theone or more parking spaces based on the scoring; determining, by thecomputing device, navigation directions from the vehicle to the selectedparking space; and outputting, by the computing device, the navigationdirections to a user device or vehicle interface system associated withthe driver. Determining the navigation directions can advantageously bebased on pedestrian and/or vehicle traffic within the parking facility.The pedestrian or vehicle traffic within the parking facility may bepredicted based on image data received by a camera device associatedwith the parking facility. The scoring can further be based on theactivity of the driver. The activity of the driver may be based oncalendar events or social media activity associated with the driver.

In an aspect of the invention, there is a computer program product forselecting a parking space and providing navigation direction to theselected parking space. The computer program product includes a computerreadable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith.The program instructions are executable by a computing device to causethe computing device to: receive vehicle identification information fora vehicle that is entering a parking facility; identify a driver profileand vehicle information based on the vehicle identification information,where the driver profile identifies criteria for scoring and selecting aparking space; determine attributes of one or more open parking spacesin the parking facility when the vehicle enters the parking facility;score each of the one or more open parking spaces based on theattributes, the driver profile, and the vehicle information; outputinformation regarding the scored one or more open parking spaces;determine navigation directions from the vehicle to a selected parkingspace, of the one or more open parking spaces, wherein the determiningthe navigation directions is based on pedestrian or vehicle trafficwithin the parking facility; and output the navigation directions to auser device or vehicle interface system associated with the driver. Thepedestrian or vehicle traffic within the parking facility may bepredicted based on image data received by a camera device associatedwith the parking facility. The scoring can further be based on theactivity of the driver. The activity of the driver may be based oncalendar events or social media activity associated with the driver.

In an aspect of the invention, a system includes: a CPU, a computerreadable memory and a computer readable storage medium associated with acomputing device; program instructions to receive image data associatedwith the parking facility; program instructions to receive vehicleidentification information for a vehicle that is entering a parkingfacility; program instructions to identify a driver profile and vehicleinformation based on the vehicle identification information, where thedriver profile identifies criteria for scoring and selecting a parkingspace; program instructions to identify the one or more open parkingspaces based on the image data when the vehicle enters the parkingfacility; program instructions to determine attributes of the one ormore open parking spaces; program instructions to score each of the oneor more open parking spaces based on the attributes, the driver profile,and the vehicle information; program instructions to receive a selectionof a particular one of the one or more parking spaces based on thescoring; program instructions to determine navigation directions fromthe vehicle to the selected parking space, wherein the determining thenavigation directions is based on pedestrian or vehicle traffic withinthe parking facility; and program instructions to output the navigationdirections to a user device or vehicle interface system associated withthe driver. The program instructions are stored on the computer readablestorage medium for execution by the CPU via the computer readablememory. The program instructions to determine the attributes of the oneor more open parking spaces may advantageously include programinstruction to determine the attributes of the one or more open parkingspaces based on the image data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in the detailed description whichfollows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an overview of an example implementation in accordance withaspects of the present invention

FIG. 5 shows an example environment in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of example components of a parkingselection server in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an example flowchart for selecting a parking space based onparking space attributes, driver preferences, and vehicle attributes inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an example user interface in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to parking space selectionsystems, and more particularly, to the selection of parking spaces basedon parking space attributes, driver preferences, and vehicleinformation. Further, navigation directions can be provided to directthe driver to the selected spot based on current traffic and/orpredictive traffic patterns existing within the parking facility.Advantageously, selection of parking spaces can be individualized forspecific drivers and vehicles, and the driver can be efficientlydirected to a selected parking space, thereby saving the driversubstantial amounts of time and fuel.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a parking space maybe automatically selected for a particular user or driver entering aparking facility in a vehicle, e.g., a parking lot or garage. Forexample, a driver profile can be obtained based on vehicleidentification information obtained when the vehicle enters the parkingfacility. In embodiments, the vehicle identification information can beobtained via a radio frequency ID (RFID) device implemented within thevehicle, or via optical character recognition (OCR) techniques thatidentify a license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN) of thevehicle. Advantageously, selection of parking spaces can be performedwith minimal to no driver activity or interaction.

Further, open or available parking spaces may be identified usingcameras provided throughout the parking facility, e.g., cameras that mayalready be installed in the parking facility for other purposes, such assecurity monitoring, etc. Additionally, or alternatively, the open oravailable parking spaces may be identified from image data associatedwith satellite images, images captured by aerial cameras, etc. For eachopen parking space, attributes of the open parking space may beidentified, such as the size of the parking space, whether the parkingspace is reserved for handicapped drivers, the proximity of the parkingspace to particular stores, stairs elevators, or other occupied parkingspaces, whether the parking space is a parallel parking space, anon-parallel parking space, or an “angled” parking space, etc. The openparking spaces may be scored based on their attributes, and based oninformation in the driver profile. For example, the driver profile mayidentify criteria, such as vehicle size, driver needs, driver interests,driver preferences, driver historical parking space choices, etc.

In addition to, or in the alternative of the driver profile, driveractivity information may be used to identify potential attributes ofparking spaces for the driver, (e.g., information identified in thedriver's calendar, published shopping lists, social media activity,etc.) For example, if the driver's activity indicates that the driver isplanning on shopping at a particular store, parking spaces in closerproximity to the particular score are scored relatively higher thanthose that are relatively farther away from the particular store. Thatis, the driver's activity may indicate a destination for the driver, andparking spaces in closer proximity to the driver's destination will bescored higher than those that are farther from the driver's destination.

Based on scoring the open parking spaces, a particular parking space,e.g., the parking space with the highest score, can be selected for thedriver. Advantageously, the best suited parking space for a particulardriver can be selected so that other parking spaces better suited forother drivers can remain available to those drivers.

In alternative embodiments, the driver's historical parking spacechoices may be used to build the driver's profile without the need forthe driver to manually select their parking space preferences. Also, incertain embodiments, information identifying parking spaces in which thedriver has previously parked may be solely used to score the openparking spaces. As such, parking spaces most closely matching theattributes of those spaces in which the driver has historically parkedare scored relatively higher. Further, the attributes against which toscore open parking spaces may dynamically update based on the attributesof parking spaces in which the driver selects to park over time.

Navigation directions for the selected parking space can then beprovided to a user device, e.g., a smart phone or similar device, ownedby the driver, and/or to the driver's vehicle interface system, e.g.,vehicle navigation system. The navigation directions may be based on theshortest distance from the driver's vehicle to the open parking space.Further, the navigation directions can be based on other vehiclesdriving in the driving facility. For example, the navigation directionscan direct the driver to avoid areas in the parking facility that arecongested or may be difficult to access due to vehicle traffic in theparking facility. Also, vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic patterns canbe predicted based on image data, and the predicted vehicle and/orpedestrian traffic patterns can be used to provide more efficientnavigation directions. Advantageously, less time is spent when drivingto a parking space.

As described herein, existing systems do not solve the technical problemof finding a parking space meeting particular criteria, and further,directing a driver to the parking space that meets the criteria. Inaccordance with aspects of the present invention, a parking space thatmeets particular criteria is selected for a driver, and further,directions to that selected parking space are provided to the driverbased on the position of the driver and the position of the parkingspace. In an alternative embodiment, image data identifying pedestrianand/or vehicle traffic may be used to determine the driving directions.In an alternative embodiment, the vehicle traffic may be based ondriving directions provided to drivers of other vehicles. For example,if one driver was directed along a particular route in a parkingfacility, then driving directions for a subsequent driver entering theparking facility may be such that the subsequent driver avoids the routeof the previous driver. In alternative embodiment, a list of candidateparking spaces may be presented along with their respective scores andtheir respective attributes. A particular candidate spot can then beselected, and navigation directions can be provided to the selectedspot.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowcharts may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions,which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in thefigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. It will also be noted that each block of the flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry outcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a nonremovable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and parking space selection 96.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the Program/utility 40 may include one or moreprogram modules 42 that generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.Specifically, the program modules 42 may monitor real-time parkingfacility camera data, receive vehicle identification information for avehicle entering a parking facility, identify driver and vehicleinformation based on the vehicle identification information, identifyopen parking spaces based on the real-time parking facility camera data,determining attributes of the open parking spaces, score the openparking spaces based on the attributes, the vehicle information, and thedriver information, select a particular open parking space based on thescoring, determine navigation directions to the selected parking space,and outputting navigation directions and information for the selectedparking space, e.g., to a user device of the driver and/or to a vehicleinterface system, such as a vehicle navigation system. Otherfunctionalities of the program modules 42 are described further hereinsuch that the program modules 42 are not limited to the functionsdescribed above. Moreover, it is noted that some of the modules 42 canbe implemented within the infrastructure shown in FIGS. 1-3. Forexample, the modules 42 may be representative of a parking selectionserver as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 shows an overview of an example implementation in accordance withaspects of the present invention. In FIG. 4, a parking selection server210 may monitor parking facility image data received from a camera 205(at step 1.1). In embodiments, the parking selection server 210 mayinclude one more components of computer system/server 12. Based on thereceived image data, the parking selection server 210 may identify openparking space as shown in FIG. 4. For example, parking selection server210 may use image classification techniques and/or other image analysistechniques to determine whether a parking space is open. Further, theparking selection server 210 may determine attributes of each identifiedopen parking spaces, e.g., the size of the space, an identifier of thespace, the proximity of the parking space to a landmark, e.g., aparticular venue or store, stairs, elevators, or other occupied parkingspaces, a type of parking space, e.g., a parallel parking space, anon-parallel parking space, an “angled” parking space, a handicappedparking space, etc. Advantageously, the parking selection server 210selects parking spaces based on their attributes and driver preferenceto select the best suited parking space for a particular driver.

When a vehicle enters the parking facility, vehicle identificationinformation may be obtained by the parking selection server 210 (at step1.2). In embodiments, the parking selection server 210 may be connectedto an RFID scanner that obtains the vehicle identification informationfrom an RFID device implemented within the vehicle. Additionally, oralternatively, the parking selection server 210 may be connected to acamera that obtains the vehicle identification information via opticalcharacter recognition (OCR) techniques that identify a license plate ora vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle. Based on obtainingthe vehicle identification information, the parking selection server 210may obtain a stored driver profile, and score the open parking spacesbased on criteria identified in the driver profile and the attributes ofthe open parking spaces (at step 1.3). For example, as described herein,the driver profile may include criteria, such as vehicle size, driverneeds, driver interests, driver preferences, attributes of parkingspaces in which the driver has previously parked, etc. Additionally, oralternatively, the driver profile may identify driver activity, such asinformation identified in the driver's calendar, published shoppinglists, social media activity, etc. In addition to, or in the alternativeof the driver profile, driver activity information may be used toidentify potential attributes of parking spaces for the driver, (e.g.,information identified in the driver's calendar, published shoppinglists, social media activity, etc.) For example, if the driver'sactivity indicates that the driver is planning on shopping at aparticular store, parking spaces in closer proximity to the particularscore are scored relatively higher than those that are relativelyfarther away from the particular store.

The scoring may be relatively higher for parking spaces whose attributesmore closely match the criteria identified in the driver profile. Inembodiments, the scoring may be weighted based on different criteria orpreferences. As another example, the driver profile may indicate thatthe driver prefers lower priced parking spaces, and that this preferenceis higher weighted than the driver's preference for parking spaces incloser proximity to a venue, elevators, or an exit, thus increasing thescore for relatively lower priced parking spaces. As another example,the driver profile may indicate that the driver prefers spaces at acloser proximity to a venue, and that this preference is higher weightedthan the driver's preference for lower priced parking spaces, thusincreasing the score for spaces in closer proximity to the venue. Asanother example, the driver profile may indicate that the driverrequires a handicap space, thus eliminating non-handicap spaces fromconsideration of selection.

In embodiments the scoring may be based on the driver's activity asidentified by the driver's calendar events and/or social media activity.For example, a driver's profile may indicate, e.g., based on socialmedia activity, that the driver is planning on shopping at a particularstore in a shopping plaza, thus increasing the score for parking spacesthat are closer in proximity to that particular store. As anotherexample, the driver profile may indicate, e.g., based on social mediaactivity and/or a calendar event, that the driver is planning onshopping for a large item, e.g., a television, thus increasing the scorefor parking spaces that are relatively larger to give the driver moreroom to load their cargo.

At step 1.4, the parking selection server 210 may output informationidentifying the selected parking space, e.g., to a vehicle navigationsystem and/or to a user device associated with the driver. For example,the parking selection server 210 may output a space number or otheridentifier of the selected parking space. As described herein, theparking selection server 210 may also output navigation directions todirect the driver to the selected parking space. In embodiments, thenavigation directions may be based on the shortest distance from thedriver's vehicle to the open parking space. Further, the navigationdirections can be based on other vehicles driving in the drivingfacility. For example, the navigation directions can direct the driverto avoid areas in the parking facility that are congested or may bedifficult to access due to vehicle traffic in the parking facility

FIG. 5 shows an example environment in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG, 5, environment 200 may includecamera device 205, parking selection server 210, vehicle identificationdevice 215, external information server 220, user device 225, vehicleinterface system 230, and/or network 235. In embodiments, one or morecomponents in environment 200 may correspond to one or more componentsin the cloud computing environment of FIG. 2.

The camera device 205 may include a surveillance camera, a satellitecamera, an aerial camera, and/or other type of camera device. The cameradevice 205 may provide camera image data to the parking selection server210.

The parking selection server 210 may include one or more computingdevices that may monitor real-time parking facility camera data, receivevehicle identification information for a vehicle entering a parkingfacility, identify driver and vehicle information based on the vehicleidentification information, identify open parking spaces based on thereal-time parking facility camera data, and determining attributes ofthe open parking spaces. The parking selection server 210 may furtherscore the open parking spaces based on the attributes, the vehicleinformation, and the driver information, select a particular openparking space based on the scoring. The parking selection server 210 mayfurther determine navigation directions to the selected parking space,and outputting navigation directions and information for the selectedparking space, e.g., to a user device of the driver and/or to a vehicleinterface system, such as a vehicle navigation system.

The vehicle identification device 215 may include a scanner or othertype of device to obtain vehicle identification information from avehicle entering a parking facility. For example, the vehicleidentification device 215 may be an RFID scanner and/or an OCR devicethat may obtain a VIN, license plate number, and/or other vehicleidentification information from the vehicle entering the parkingfacility. The vehicle identification device 215 may provide the vehicleidentification information to the parking selection server 210.

The external information server 220 may include one or more computerdevices that store information for a user or driver, such as calendareven information, social media activity, and/or other information thatmay be used to identify driver activity. The parking selection server210 may use this information to determine driver activity as in input toa scoring algorithm to score open parking spaces.

The user device 225 may include any device capable of communicating viaa network, such as the network 235. For example, the user device 225 maycorrespond to a mobile communication device (e.g., a smart phone or apersonal digital assistant (PDA)), a portable computer device (e.g., alaptop or a tablet computer), or another type of device. In someembodiments, the user device 225 may communicate with the parkingselection server 210 to provide driver profile information, such asdriver preferences, interests, etc. In some embodiments, the user device225 may receive information from parking selection server 210identifying a selected parking space and/or navigation directions to aselected parking space.

The vehicle interface system 230 may include, for example, a vehiclenavigation system that receives information from parking selectionserver 210 identifying a selected parking space and/or navigationdirections to a selected parking space. In embodiments, the vehicleinterface system 230 may output vehicle identification information toparking selection server 210, e.g., via the vehicle identificationdevice 215.

The network 235 may include network nodes, such as network nodes 10 ofFIG. 2. Additionally, or alternatively, the network 235 may include oneor more wired and/or wireless networks. For example, the network 235 mayinclude a cellular network (e.g., a second generation (2G) network, athird generation (3G) network, a fourth generation (4G) network, a fifthgeneration (5G) network, a long-term evolution (LTE) network, a globalsystem for mobile (GSM) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA)network, an evolution-data optimized (EVDO) network, or the like), apublic land mobile network (PLMN), and/or another network. Additionally,or alternatively, the network 235 may include a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan network (MAN), thePublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an ad hoc network, a managedInternet Protocol (IP) network, a virtual private network (VPN), anintranet, the Internet, a fiber optic-based network, and/or acombination of these or other types of networks.

The quantity of devices and/or networks in the environment 200 is notlimited to what is shown in FIG. 5. In practice, the environment 200 mayinclude additional devices and/or networks; fewer devices and/ornetworks; different devices and/or networks; or differently arrangeddevices and/or networks than illustrated in FIG. 5. Also, in someimplementations, one or more of the devices of the environment 200 mayperform one or more functions described as being performed by anotherone or more of the devices of the environment 200. Devices of theenvironment 200 may interconnect via wired connections, wirelessconnections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of example components of a parkingselection server 210 in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 6, the parking selection server 210 mayinclude a driver profile repository 305, a vehicle identification module310, an image processor module 315, a parking selection module 320,and/or a navigation module 325. In embodiments, the parking selectionserver 210 may include additional or fewer components than those shownin FIG. 6. In embodiments, separate components may be integrated into asingle computing component or module. Additionally, or alternatively, asingle component may be implemented as multiple computing components ormodules.

The driver profile repository 305 may include a data storage device(e.g., storage system 34 of FIG. 1) that stores a driver profileidentifying preferences for a driver associated with a particularvehicle. These preferences may include criteria for parking spaces formwhich parking spaces may be scored and selected for the driver. Thepreferences may be provided in advance by the driver via a web portalusing a computing device, e.g., a desktop computing device, a laptopcomputing device, a smart phone, a tablet, etc. For example, the driverprofile repository 305 may store preferences indicating whether thedriver requires a handicap space, whether the driver prefers closerspaces or farther spaces, e.g., if the driver prefers to walk, if thedriver prefers spaces that permits the driver to pull forward into thespace and pull forward out of the space, etc. In embodiments the driverprofile repository 305 may store attributes of parking spaceshistorically selected for the user and/or attributes of parking spacedin which the user/driver has historically parked. In embodiments thedriver profile repository 305 may store weightings for each preferenceor criteria. For example, the driver profile repository 305 may storeweighting information indicating that proximity of a space to a venue ishigher weighted than the price of the parking space.

In embodiments, the driver profile repository 305 may store informationidentifying a user device 225 of the driver, e.g., so that selectedparking space information can be provided to that particular user device225 while the user device 225 is within a border defining a parkingfacility. Further, the driver profile repository 305 may storeinformation identifying a particular vehicle interface system 230associated with the driver's vehicle so that selected parking spaceinformation can be provided to that particular vehicle interface system230 while the vehicle is within a border defining a parking facility. Inembodiments, the driver profile repository 305 may communicate with theexternal information server 220 to obtain activity information for thedriver.

In embodiments, the driver profile repository 305 may store informationregarding the driver's vehicle, e.g., the make, model, and year of thevehicle, the dimensions of the vehicle, and/or other informationregarding the vehicle. Also, the driver profile repository 305 may storevehicle identification identifying the vehicle, and the driver profileassociated with the vehicle. For example, the driver profile repository305 may store a data structure that links the driver profile to a VIN, alicense plate number, and/or other vehicle identification information.The information stored by driver profile repository 305 may be used toidentify a driver profile of a vehicle that has entered a parkingfacility, and further used to score open parking spaces based on thepreferences/criteria included in the driver profile.

The vehicle identification module 310 may comprise a program module(e.g., program module 42 of FIG. 1) that receives vehicle identificationinformation, e.g., from the vehicle identification device 215. Based onreceiving the vehicle identification information, the vehicleidentification module 310 may provide the vehicle identificationinformation to the parking selection module 320. For example, when avehicle enters a parking facility, the vehicle identification device 215may obtain the vehicle identification information, e.g., using an RFIDscanner, an OCR device, and/or using other techniques.

The image processor module 315 may comprise a program module (e.g.,program module 42 of FIG. 1) that receives real-time image data from oneor more camera devices 205. Further, the image processor module 315 mayprocess the image data to identify open parking spaces and attributesassociated with the open parking spaces. For example, the imageprocessor module 315 may use pixel-based classification techniquesand/or other techniques to identify an open parking space and/orattributes of the open parking space. In embodiments, the imageprocessor module 315 may predict that a parking space is about to openup, e.g., by detecting that an individual has found their vehicle,placed cargo in the trunk of the vehicle, and entered the vehicle. Theimage processor module 315 may be used to actively track the number andlocation of open spaces in the parking facility.

In embodiments, the image processor module 315 may identify the parkingspace and attributes of the parking space in which a particular driverhas parked their vehicle, and may provide this information to the driverprofile repository, e.g., so that historical parking spaces andattributes of these spaces in which the driver has parked can be laterused to better select parking spaces for the driver in the future. Inparticular, the image processor module 315 may identify that a driverhas parked in a selected parking space, or has chosen to park in adifferent parking space.

In embodiments, the image processor module 315 may determine vehicleand/or pedestrian traffic within a parking facility. As describedherein, vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic may be used to providenavigation directions to direct a driver to a particular parking spacewithin a parking facility.

The parking selection module 320 may comprise a program module (e.g.,program module 42 of FIG. 1) that selects a parking space for aparticular driver based on attributes of open parking spaces and adriver profile. For example, when a vehicle enters a parking facility,the vehicle identification module 310 may provide vehicle identificationinformation to the parking selection module 320. The parking selectionmodule 320 may then communicate with the driver profile repository 305to determine a driver profile associated with the received vehicleidentification information. Further, the parking selection module 320may identify open parking spaces based on information provided by theimage processor module 315. The parking selection module 320 may alsoobtain attributes of the open parking spaces based on the image dataprocessed by the image processor module 315. In embodiments, attributesof the parking space may be identified using some other technique. Forexample, the image processor module 315 may determine that a particularspace at a particular location is open, and a database storing parkingspace attributes based on parking space location may be used to identifyscore the parking space.

The parking selection module 320 may then combine the information in thedriver profile with the attributes of the open parking spaces togenerate scores for the parking spaces. As described herein, the scoresmay be based on weightings of each criteria identified in the driverprofile such that parking spaces having attributes that meet higherweighted criteria will be scored relatively higher. The parkingselection module 320 may then select the parking space having thehighest score. Alternatively, the parking selection module 320 mayselect the top 3, top 5, or other number of candidate spaces and providea passenger of the vehicle with an opportunity to select a particularparking space of the candidate spaces.

The navigation module 325 may comprise a program module (e.g., programmodule 42 of FIG. 1) that obtains information identifying the selectedparking space (either the space automatically selected by the parkingselection module 320 based on the highest score, or the space selectedby the passenger after candidate spaces have been presented), and maydetermine driving directions, e.g., turn-by-turn directions from thevehicle to the parking space. In embodiments, the navigation module 325may store a map of the parking facility identifying longitude andlatitude coordinates of the parking spaces in the parking facility. Thenavigation module may actively communicate with the user device 225and/or the vehicle interface system 230 associated with the driver toobtain the real-time location of the driver (e.g., using a globalposition system of the user device 225 and/or the vehicle interfacesystem 230). The navigation module 225 may compare the location of thedriver with the location of the parking space in order to provide thedriver with accurate directions to the parking space.

In embodiments, the navigation directions may be based on the closestdistance between the driver and the parking space. Additionally, oralternatively, in an alternative embodiment, the directions may be basedon vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic present throughout various areas inthe parking facility. For example, the directions may avoid congestedroutes to the parking space. In an alternative embodiment, the vehicletraffic may be based on driving directions provided to drivers of othervehicles. For example, if one driver was directed along a particularroute in a parking facility, then driving directions for a subsequentdriver entering the parking facility may be such that the subsequentdriver avoids the route of the previous driver.

In embodiments, the navigation module 325 may communicate with the imageprocessor module 315 to identify the presence of vehicles, pedestrians,and/or other objects, and the navigation module 325 may determine thedirections based on these factors. Additionally, or alternatively, thenavigation module 325 may determine driving directions based ondirections based on which parking spaces the parking selection module320 has just selected for a different vehicle. For example, thenavigation module 325 may determine driving directions so as to avoid aroute in which other vehicles have directed. In embodiments, thedirections may direct the driver to turn, e.g., left or right at aparticular parking row number, drive straight for a particular distance,or go up or down a level. As an illustrative, non-limiting example, theparking directions may direct the driver to drive up one level toparking row number 1, and park in space number 123.

FIG. 7 shows an example flowchart for selecting a parking space based onparking space attributes, driver preferences, and vehicle attributes.The steps of FIG. 7 may be implemented in the environment of FIG. 1, forexample. As noted above, the flowchart illustrates the architecture,functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems,methods, and computer program products according to various embodimentsof the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, real-time parking facility image data may bemonitored (at step 705). For example, the parking selection server 210may monitor real-time parking facility image data by receiving imagedata from one or more camera devices 205 associated with the parkingfacility. This monitoring is used to track open parking spaces in realtime.

At step 710, vehicle identification information for a vehicle enteringthe parking facility is received. For example, the parking selectionserver 210 may receive the vehicle identification information from thevehicle identification device 215 as described herein.

At step 715, a driver profile and vehicle information is identifiedbased on the vehicle identification information. For example, parkingselection server 210 may look up the vehicle identification informationin the driver profile repository to identify the driver profile and thevehicle information based on the vehicle identification information.

At step 720, open parking spaces are identified based on the real-timeparking facility image data. For example, as described herein, theparking selection server 210 may use pixel-based classification and/orother techniques to determine open parking spaces based on the imagedata received from the one or more camera devices 205. Additionally, oralternatively, the parking selection server 210 may receive informationidentifying open parking spaces from one or more object sensors thatidentify vacant and occupied parking spaces.

At step 725, attributes of the open parking spaces are determined. Forexample, the parking selection server 210 may determine the attributesof the open parking spaces based on the image data and using pixel-basedclassification techniques and/or other techniques. Additionally, oralternatively, the parking selection server 210 may determine thelocation of the open parking spaces, and map the locations with adatabase that stores the attributes of the parking spaces based on thelocation of the parking spaces, e.g., based on longitude/latitudecoordinates of the parking spaces.

As described herein, the parking space attributes may include the sizeof the parking space, whether the parking space is reserved forhandicapped drivers, the proximity of the parking space to particularstores, stairs elevators, or other occupied parking spaces, whether theparking space is a parallel parking space, a non-parallel parking space,or an “angled” parking space, etc.

At step 730, the open parking spaces are scored based on theirrespective attributes, the vehicle information, and the driver profile,e.g., the driver's preferences, interests, activity, etc. For example,for each open parking space, the parking selection server 210 maycombine the information in the driver profile with the attributes of theopen parking spaces to generate scores for the parking space. Asdescribed herein, the scores may be based on weightings of each criteriaidentified in the driver profile such that parking spaces havingattributes that meet higher weighted criteria will be scored relativelyhigher. For example, if the driver profile indicates that the driverprefers parking spaces closer to a venue greater than less expensiveparking spaces, then the parking spaces that are relatively closer tothe venue will be scored relatively higher than those that are fartheraway from the venue.

As described herein, the score may be based on the driver's activity,e.g., as determined based on the driver's social media activity and/orcalendar entries. For example, if the driver's activity indicates thatthe driver will be shopping at a particular store in a shopping plaza,the score of parking spaces closer to that particular store will bescored relatively higher than those that are farther away from thatstore. Also, the score may be based on the vehicle information such thatparking spaces that can better accommodate the size of the vehicle willscore relatively higher.

As described herein, the score may be based on the attributes of parkingspaces in which the driver has previously parked, and/or the attributesof parking spaces previously selected for the driver. As such, parkingspaces most closely matching the attributes of those spaces in which thedriver has historically parked are scored relatively higher. Further,the attributes against which to score open parking spaces maydynamically update based on the attributes of parking spaces in whichthe driver selects to park over time.

At step 735, a particular open parking space is selected for the driverbased on the scoring. For example, the parking selection server 210 mayautomatically select the parking space having the highest score. In analternative embodiment, the parking selection server 210 may present alist of candidate spaces and their respective attributes to the userdevice 225 and/or the vehicle interface system of the driver. Apassenger of the vehicle may then select a particular candidate spot.

At step 740, navigation directions to the selected parking space aredetermined. For example, the parking selection server 210 may determinedriving directions, e.g., turn-by-turn directions from the vehicle tothe parking space. In embodiments, the navigation directions may bebased on the closest distance between the driver and the parking space.Additionally, or alternatively, the directions may be based on vehicleand/or pedestrian traffic present throughout various areas in theparking facility, e.g., as determined by the image data being monitoredby the parking selection server 210. For example, the directions mayavoid congested routes to the parking space.

At step 745, the navigation directions and/or identification informationregarding the selected parking space may be output. For example, theparking selection server 210 may output the navigation directions to theuser device 225 and/or the vehicle interface system 230 associated withthe driver. In embodiments, the parking selection server 210 mayactively communicate with the user device 225 and/or the vehicleinterface system 230 associated with the driver to compare the locationof the driver with the location of the parking space in order to providethe driver with accurate directions to the parking space. Inembodiments, the parking selection server 210 may output identificationinformation for the selected parking space, e.g., a space number, sothat the driver can self-navigate to the selected parking space.

FIG. 8 shows an example user interface in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the parking selection server 210may output, to the user device 225 and/or vehicle interface system 230of the driver, navigation and parking space information for a selectedparking space, e.g., in accordance with the process of FIG. 7. Based onreceiving the navigation and parking space information, the user device225 and/or the vehicle interface system 230 may display turn-by-turndirections to the parking space, and may correspondingly provide audibleturn-by-turn directions to the parking space. For example, the userdevice 225 and/or the vehicle interface system 230 may implement anapplication that displays and/or audibly outputs the receivedinformation from the parking selection server 210. In embodiments, thevehicle interface system 230 may provide audible turn-by-turn directionsthrough vehicle speakers.

In embodiments, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to perform the processes described herein. In this case, theservice provider can create, maintain, deploy, support, etc., thecomputer infrastructure that performs the process steps of the inventionfor one or more customers. These customers may be, for example, anybusiness that uses technology. In return, the service provider canreceive payment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or feeagreement and/or the service provider can receive payment from the saleof advertising content to one or more third parties.

In still additional embodiments, the invention provides acomputer-implemented method for dividing power across user devices 210,via a network. In this case, a computer infrastructure, such as computersystem 12 (FIG. 1), can be provided and one or more systems forperforming the processes of the invention can be obtained (e.g.,created, purchased, used, modified, etc.) and deployed to the computerinfrastructure. To this extent, the deployment of a system can compriseone or more of: (1) installing program code on a computing device, suchas computer system 12 (as shown in FIG. 1), from a computer-readablemedium; (2) adding one or more computing devices to the computerinfrastructure; and (3) incorporating and/or modifying one or moreexisting systems of the computer infrastructure to enable the computerinfrastructure to perform the processes of the invention.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving, by a computing device, vehicle identification information fora vehicle that is entering a parking facility; identifying, by thecomputing device, a driver profile and vehicle information based on thevehicle identification information, wherein the driver profileidentifies criteria for scoring and selecting a parking space;determining, by the computing device, attributes of one or more openparking spaces in the parking facility when the vehicle enters theparking facility, wherein the attributes are determined by analyzingimage data associated with the parking facility by applying pixel-basedclassification to the image data; scoring, by the computing device, eachof the one or more open parking spaces based on the attributes, thedriver profile, and the vehicle information, wherein the scoring isfurther based on a proximity of the one or more open parking spaces to adestination of the driver as identified by activity of the driver; andselecting, by the computing device, a particular one of the one or moreparking spaces based on the scoring.
 2. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the computing device,navigation directions from the vehicle to the selected parking space,wherein the navigation directions are based on the image data andnavigation directions previously provided to a different vehicle; andoutputting, by the computing device, the determined navigationdirections to a user device or vehicle interface system associated withthe driver.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, whereindetermining the navigation directions is based on pedestrian or vehicletraffic within the parking facility.
 4. The computer-implemented methodof claim 3, wherein the pedestrian or vehicle traffic within the parkingfacility is determined based on the image data, wherein the image datais received by a camera device associated with the parking facility. 5.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving the image data; and identifying the one or more open parkingspaces based on the image data, wherein determining the attributes ofthe one or more open parking spaces is based on identifying the one ormore open parking spaces.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the scoring is based on weightings of the criteria identified inthe driver profile.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1wherein the criteria or the attributes of each of the one or moreparking spaces identifies at least one selected from the groupconsisting of: a size of the parking space, an identifier of the parkingspace, a proximity of the parking space to a particular landmark,occupied parking spaces, and a type of the parking space.
 8. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the activity of thedriver is based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:calendar events, and social media activity associated with the driver.9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a serviceprovider performs at least one selected from the group consisting of:creates the computing device, maintains the computing device, deploysthe computing device, and supports the computing device.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein steps of claim 1 areprovided by a service provider on at least one selected from the groupconsisting of: a subscription basis, an advertising basis, and a feebasis.
 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein thecomputing device includes software provided as a service in a cloudenvironment.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising deploying a system for selecting a parking space andproviding navigation direction to the selected parking space, comprisingproviding a computer infrastructure operable to perform the steps ofclaim
 1. 13. A computer program product for selecting a parking spaceand providing navigation direction to the selected parking space, thecomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructionsexecutable by a computing device to cause the computing device to:receive vehicle identification information for a vehicle that isentering a parking facility; identify a driver profile and vehicleinformation based on the vehicle identification information, wherein thedriver profile identifies criteria for scoring and selecting a parkingspace; determine attributes of one or more open parking spaces in theparking facility when the vehicle enters the parking facility, whereinthe attributes are determined by analyzing image data associated withthe parking facility by applying pixel-based classification to the imagedata; score each of the one or more open parking spaces based on theattributes, the driver profile, and the vehicle information; and outputinformation regarding the scored one or more open parking spaces. 14.The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the programinstructions further cause the computing device to: determine navigationdirections from the vehicle to a selected parking space, of the one ormore open parking spaces, wherein the determining the navigationdirections is based on pedestrian or vehicle traffic within the parkingfacility, the image data, and navigation directions previously providedto a different vehicle; and output the determined navigation directionsto a user device or vehicle interface system associated with the driver.15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the vehicleidentification information is at least one selected from the groupconsisting of: a radio frequency identifier (RFID), a license platenumber, and a vehicle identification number (VIN).
 16. The computerprogram product of claim 14, wherein the pedestrian or vehicle trafficwithin the parking facility is predicted based on the image data,wherein the image data is received by a camera device associated withthe parking facility.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13,wherein the program instructions further cause the computing device to:receive the image data; and identify the one or more open parking spacesbased on the image data, wherein the program instructions to determinethe attributes of the one or more open parking spaces cause thecomputing device to determine the attributes of the one or more openparking spaces based on identifying the one or more open parking spaces.18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the programinstructions to score the one or more open parking spaces cause thecomputing device to score the one or more open parking spaces based onweightings of the criteria identified in the driver profile.
 19. Asystem comprising: a CPU, a computer readable memory and a computerreadable storage medium associated with a computing device; programinstructions to receive image data associated with a parking facility;program instructions to receive vehicle identification information for avehicle that is entering the parking facility; program instructions toidentify a driver's driver profile and vehicle information based on thevehicle identification information, wherein the driver profileidentifies criteria for scoring and selecting a parking space based onattributes of parking spaces in which the driver previously parked;program instructions to identify one or more open parking spaces basedon the image data when the vehicle enters the parking facility; programinstructions to determine attributes of the one or more open parkingspaces, wherein the attributes are determined by analyzing the imagedata by applying pixel-based classification to the image data; programinstructions to score each of the one or more open parking spaces basedon the attributes, the driver profile, and the vehicle information; andprogram instructions to receive a selection of a particular one of theone or more parking spaces based on the scoring, wherein the programinstructions are stored on the computer readable storage medium forexecution by the CPU via the computer readable memory.
 20. The system ofclaim 19, further comprising: program instructions to determinenavigation directions from the vehicle to the selected parking space,wherein the determining the navigation directions is based on pedestrianor vehicle traffic within the parking facility, the image data, andnavigation directions previously provided to a different vehicle; andprogram instructions to output the determined navigation directions to auser device or vehicle interface system associated with the driver.